The artwork entitled “Iesus flagellatus (John 19:1)” is a creation of the renowned artist Salvador Dali, completed in the year 1964. This piece is part of the religious genre and belongs to “The Biblia Sacra” series. It reflects the inclinations of Abstract Expressionism and Symbolism which characterized Dali’s later period. The piece encapsulates a portrayal driven from the Biblical narrative.
In the artwork, one observes a composition that merges abstract forms and vivid symbolism to evoke the scene of Jesus Christ being scourged, as depicted in the New Testament, John 19:1. The central figure, suggestive of Jesus, is presented with a surrounding aura of suffering, underscored by the use of deep red to signify the brutality of the flagellation. While the figure is not rendered with fine detail, its form and posture convey a sense of being bound and subjected to punishment.
To the left of the central figure, another form appears that could be interpreted as an executor of the flagellation, characterized by less intense coloration and more subdued lines. The background and the remainder of the composition are abstract, with expressive splashes and strokes of color and textures that could signify the tumultuous and chaotic energy of the event.
Salvador Dali has utilized the artwork to not merely illustrate a religious scene but also to invite contemplation through the abstract depiction, encouraging viewers to consider the emotional and spiritual dimensions beyond the literal narrative. Each element within the piece seems to have been chosen to amplify the dramatic resonance of the moment being depicted, capturing an intense moment of suffering and sacrifice in a style that is quintessentially Dali’s.
